County reduces underage drinking

By Don Sander | May 22, 2014

To the editor:

June of 2014 marks the end of the second year in the Alcohol Consumption Task Force Coalition’s work to change Jefferson County’s second highest in the state underage alcohol abuse ranking. Entering the last year of the Iowa Department of Public Health funded grant, the coalition is pleased to report Jefferson County is now ranked at number 35.

This remarkable alcohol behavior change is the result of a committed effort of the coalition and the community. Local media allies, KMCD and KRUU radio, The Fairfield Ledger and three town hall meetings alerted the county of the alcohol behavior problem and related consequences. The Fairfield Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff are a key partnership in the community change. Finally, the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfield City Council unanimously supported the project in the approval of a social host ordinance.

The ranking change is significant, however most important is changing community youth health and safety. Recently, the coalition heard, “As a parent of a teenage son, I am so pleased to know that the task force is making a difference in Jefferson County. I feel kids are a bit safer because of it!”